As a Pilates instructor and stretch therapist, I'm here to share the incredible benefits of breath work and how it can transform your well-being while reducing lower back pain. Let's dive in and discover the power of intentional breathing! 🌬️✨


1️⃣ Holistic Wellness: Breath work is a gateway to holistic wellness, nurturing our mind, body, and spirit. By harnessing the power of our breath, we can enhance our overall sense of well-being.


2️⃣ Mind-Body Connection: Focusing on our breath allows us to establish a deeper connection between our mind and body, promoting mindfulness and presence in the present moment.


3️⃣ Stress Relief: Deep, intentional breathing activates our parasympathetic nervous system, triggering a relaxation response and reducing stress levels. It's a natural and accessible tool for finding calm amidst the chaos.


4️⃣ Enhanced Oxygenation: Breath work increases oxygen flow to our muscles, organs, and brain, promoting cellular rejuvenation, improved cognitive function, and an overall boost in energy levels.


5️⃣ Core Activation: Proper breathing techniques engage and activate our core muscles, providing stability, support, and better posture. Strengthening the core can alleviate lower back pain and improve overall spinal health.


6️⃣ Alleviate Lower Back Pain: Breath work combined with targeted stretches and Pilates exercises can help alleviate lower back pain by releasing tension, improving spinal alignment, and promoting relaxation in the affected muscles.


7️⃣ Improved Circulation: Deep breathing facilitates better blood circulation, aiding in nutrient delivery, waste removal, and the overall health of our tissues and organs.


8️⃣ Increased Body Awareness: By consciously breathing and tuning into our body, we cultivate a heightened sense of body awareness, enabling us to identify and address imbalances, limitations, and areas of improvement.


9️⃣ Emotional Release: Breath work can facilitate emotional release, allowing us to process and let go of emotional tension, promoting emotional well-being and inner harmony.


🔟 Empowerment: Mastering breath work techniques empowers us with a powerful self-care tool that we can access anytime, anywhere. It's a lifelong skill that supports our overall wellness journey.


💨 Let's harness the power of breath work for holistic wellness and reduced lower back pain! Join me on this transformative journey, and let's embrace intentional breathing for a healthier, happier life. 🌈💪


Share this valuable information with your friends who could benefit from breath work and reducing lower back pain! Follow me for more wellness tips and don't forget to connect with me if you'd like some help! Together, let's create a community dedicated to wellness and self-care. 🙌💕


#BreathWorkForWellness #LowerBackPainRelief #MindBodyConnection #StressRelief #HolisticWellness #PilatesInstructor #StretchTherapist #BreatheDeep #SelfCareJourney #EmbraceWellness #SpinalHealth #SelfEmpowerment

Noticed anything different lately?
​
After months of work, the website update is up & running! 

I hope you’ll have a look, there are lots of fun new pics and other things to check out.

One of those new things is the video library subscription….

How many of these can raise the funds for? As you can see from the pic, every $100 we send in provides 700 meals this Thanksgiving. 

​Every person counts!
Please feel free to invite friends, family, workout buddies, or your social media community to join us. 

Tip: the easiest way to do that is to save and share the graphic below with all the info on it. 

Foam rolling can help restore balance to your whole body, and potentially become an essential aspect of your self-care.  


Saturday 9/19/20  
 1-2:30pm  via Zoom 
$25-35 sliding scale
Register Now! 
(you must use this link and buy only this class to access the sliding scale option,
otherwise it will show up as the averaged price of $30)



In this master class, you will explore and learn how to use your foam roller as an effective self-myofascial release tool. When done mindfully and strategically, it can help relieve chronic muscle tightness or pain, increase circulation to reduce soreness, and improve your overall mobility.



Things we will cover:
- General strategies & tips on how to approach using the foam roller effectively
- How to avoid common mistakes and avoid injuries or preventable soreness 
- Specific exercises with lots of options or modifications for a full body experience
- Question & answer time at the end of the class

*You will have access to a recording of the class for 1 week after it meets live so that you can focus on feeling and learning as we go, then review the information afterwards.*



What You’ll Need:
- Plenty of open floor space
- I suggest a thin yoga mat, especially if you’ll be on a hard floor. 
- Some other padding or supportive surfaces around like a few towels, blankets, or blocks.

- 1 Moderate Foam Roller (definitely not firm, and soft may not give you enough resistance)
Here’s my favorite:
Optp Foam Roller- comes in blue or green

Here's a solid choice at a lower price point:
AXIS Standard Foam Roller- silver


Questions? click here to contact me 

Want to Register Now? click here 

Seriously though, I think we could all use a reminder to love & appreciate the body we have. It is doing the best it can, I promise. I work with all kinds of bodies, with all levels of fitness, all day- and have for years. The human body always responds better to a positive, nurturing approach rather than negative, punitive, and impatient thoughts or feedback. 

Aging, chronic pain, and the desire to change can be strong motivators, but sometimes they push us too hard. Feel free to take a moment to reset with some self-care. (need some help with this? click here)


Still Feeling Frustrated or Discouraged?
1. Make a list of all the amazing things your body does that you might be taking for granted.

2. Focus on a part of your body that feels good today.
If more than one appears, keep acknowledging them. 
​
3. Recognize any unrealistic expectations you might be harboring and let them go! You could talk about them, write them out, or try whatever helps you see them for the nasty tricks that they are. Once you see them for the garbage that they are, it’ll be easier to throw them away. 

Want to know more about how that could work for you?
Click here to connect with me. 


I offer everyone a free introductory life coaching session.
​It gives you a feel for what the process is like and if we might be a good fit. 

​

New faces are always welcome, returning ones too! 

(If you’re in the group classes and need some extra help, please bear in mind that you can always book a private mat lesson to get some one on one attention and personal corrections. )


The next session starts on 4/3….
Registration is still open!
(There is no class 4/1 for Cesar Chavez Day, there may be some confusion because it is listed differently in a few places.)


Wednesdays 
9:30-10:30am Building Better Bones  4/3-5/22    #60609     $42
($7 drop in)


Mondays
5:30-6:30pm Intro to Pilates 4/8-5/20    #60611    $42
 
6:30-7:30pm Pilates & Stretch 4/8-5/20    #60610    $42
 
 Register Online Today!
www.tempe.gov/brochure
For More Information: 480-350-5200



Current Classes:
Mondays
5:30-6:30pm Intro to Pilates 1/7-3/25    #60608    
 
6:30-7:30pm Pilates & Stretch 1/7-3/25    #60607    
 
Wednesdays 
9:30-10:30am Building Better Bones 1/16-3/27    #60606    
$7 drop in


Have some questions? Click here to contact me directly

Check out this post by guest author Susan Treadway of ​ https://rehabholistics.com/.

​When life starts to get out of hand, you sometimes just have to stop and smell the roses to gain perspective. But you don’t have to reach a breaking point before you allow yourself to do this. If you instead practice self-care on a daily basis, you can drastically reduce the amount of stress, depression, and anxiety in your life. 


Self-care doesn’t even have to take up that much time in your day. Sometimes, just taking five minutes to check in with yourself can make all the difference.


Practice Meditation


Meditation provides a structure where you can pause your day to reflect and check in with yourself. Although the goal of meditation is to turn off your thoughts for a few minutes, there is no right way to meditate. You can spend five minutes or an hour doing it. You can be sitting, laying down, or walking. And if your mind wanders, that’s okay too. Psychology Today notes that practicing daily increases your ability to regulate your emotions and cope with stress. 


If you are having trouble building the habit, try creating a space for yourself in your home. The area should be simple but private. Keep the space uncluttered, and decorate it with objects that help you relax, like smooth stones, flowers, or candles. The goal is to create a soothing place you want to retreat to.


Learn to Set Boundaries


Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is say “no” to someone. Whether that’s to taking on extra work from your boss or going out with friends when you really could use a night in, it’s not easy. However, if you always say “yes” to everything, the pressure will build until you can’t take it. This is why it’s important to set boundaries and learn to protect your relaxation time.


Do not take on more work than you can handle. Your boss will respect you for speaking up. Remember, they do not want your performance to suffer, because it will reflect badly on them too. If you need a night relaxing in front of the TV, it’s okay to turn down drinks with your friends. 


You can even do this in small doses, according to the Huffington Post. When you feel overwhelmed in the moment, give yourself a minute to breathe by taking a short walk around the block or organizing your desk. Walking away allows you to refocus and tackle the problem with fresh eyes.


Take Care of Your Physical Health


Physical and mental health go hand in hand, which is why it’s necessary to build healthy habits. Sleep is perhaps the most commonly neglected health practice. Though it’s not always easy to head to bed at a reasonable hour, you should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Try turning off your electronics and unwinding by reading a book to help you fall asleep.


It’s also important not to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, whether you’re trying to solve a stress- or sleep-related issue. A glass of wine a couple of nights a week is usually a perfectly safe way for people to unwind after a long, anxiety-filled day. However, relying too much on substances to reduce your stress can be a slippery slope to bigger problems (like addiction) which can be a direct threat to your physical and emotional health.


Your diet needs to be a balance of brightly-colored fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. In order to keep what you’re eating in check, Health Magazine recommends planning your meals in advance and surrounding yourself with healthy snacks.


Exercise should not be neglected, either. The average adult should aim to work out five times a week with a combination of aerobic and strength training. This will help you maintain your weight and keep your muscles active. To help you break a sweat, pick activities you enjoy, and consider signing up for a class. 


This does not mean you can’t indulge in the occasional cookie or stay up late and have a night out on the town. Being healthy is a lifestyle; let the indulgences be just that.


Keep the Stress at Bay


Life does not need to be a sprint. With so many things to do and so many people to see, it can be tempting to just go from one thing to the next without stopping, but take the time to slow it down. Not only will this make stress manageable, but you’ll be healthier for it. 

by Susan Treadway of ​ https://rehabholistics.com/.​
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.